Chennai: ISRO has successfully completed the flight acceptance hot testing of the cryogenic engine designated for the sixth operational mission of the LVM3 launch vehicle (LVM-M6).
The test was conducted at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu marking a significant milestone in the development of the mission’s Cryogenic Upper Stage.
Cryogenic engines, such as the indigenous CE20 used in LVM3’s upper stage, undergo hot testing as part of their acceptance process before flight. Historically, these tests were performed at the High-Altitude Test (HAT) facility at IPRC, where vacuum conditions are simulated, limiting the test duration to 25 seconds.
However, in this latest test, ISRO extended the engine’s hot test duration to 100 seconds for the first time, utilizing an innovative Nozzle Protection System under non-vacuum conditions.
This new testing method reduces setup time and effort, allowing for quicker delivery of cryogenic stages for future space missions. The CE20 engine’s performance during the test met all objectives, with the engine’s parameters closely aligning with predictions throughout the duration of the test.
The engine will now be integrated into the Cryogenic Upper Stage of the LVM3 launch vehicle for the LVM3-M6 mission, which is scheduled for the second half of 2025.
